Private lessons — taught by a pianist with a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from McGill University.
Whether you're preparing for RCM examinations, auditions, or looking to deepen your musical skills, lessons are personalized and structured around your goals. Instruction includes piano performance, music theory, and solfège.
Tomoko Inui previously taught at the Pre-Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, and now maintains a private teaching studio in Montreal. She is also active as a concert pianist, an official accompanist at Queen’s University and several colleges in the Montreal area, having worked as organist at Église Saint-Arsène,
Tomoko began piano lessons at age 7, paused her studies at 14 to pursue science, and later earned a PhD in Physical Oceanography. Her academic career took her to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, MIT, and the University of Alaska–Fairbanks.
While at MIT, she returned to music through the Chamber Music Program led by David Deveau and Marcus Thompson. In 2003, she moved to Montreal to study with Professor Kyoko Hashimoto, earning both her Licentiate and Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at McGill University. Since then, she has been dedicated to both piano teaching and performing.
Music is a discipline, a craft, and an art form. Tomoko’s teaching is rooted in:
Building a strong technical foundation from the beginning
Developing effective practice routines
Training students to listen critically and express musical ideas clearly
Encouraging adult learners to pursue music meaningfully, regardless of background
Helping all students appreciate music as a lifelong source of growth
Students must have access to a well-maintained acoustic piano at home—especially when beginning to use the damper (sustain) pedal.
Digital pianos, even high-end models, do not replicate the mechanical and acoustic response necessary for developing refined pedaling technique and sound control.
If you are unsure whether your instrument qualifies as an acoustic piano, please inquire before starting lessons.
Detailed Description:
$75/hour (monthly payment option for a discount)
Any lesson length among 30/45/60/90 minutes or more are available
For any questions, please e-mail to: piano.ndg.montreal(at)gmail.com or give me a call at: 514-482-7123
My teachers and mentors include (there are so many since I moved around due to my job..):
Kyoko Hashimoto (Professor at McGill University), Natalie Pepin (Professor Emeritus University of Montreal), Eduard Zilberkant (Professor at University of Alaska- Fairbanks), David Deveau (Boston University and MIT), Markus Thompson (MIT, NEC, viola player in Boston Chamber Music Society), Lynn Chang (violin player in Boston Chamber Music Society), Jean Rife (horn player in MIT/NEC), Trevor Stephenson (harpsicord player in Madison, WI)